'For an extra $1 you can get the jumbo' Ummm...that won't be necessary

I can’t remember if I’ve ever referred to myself as a “popcorn head” on this blog before. If not....

Hi, my name is Drew and I’m a “popcorn head.”

This finger-licking description refers to someone who has one idea after another pop into their over-stimulated brain on a regular basis.

Business idea...POP!

Concept for a book...POP!

Another business idea...POP!

Invention...POP!

Idea for a movie...POP!

POP! POP! POP! POP!

I’m serious....I have AT LEAST one idea a day. Most are stupid and/or frivolous, but some are decent and have a little bit of sticking power.

There are times when it’s very exciting to be a “popcorn head,” but most of the time it’s just frustrating.

Here’s an example: Around 2001, I had a GREAT idea for a movie. The concept was simple: Guys go to wedding thye're not invited to so they can eat, drink, and pickup bride’s maids. (I don’t think I have to tell you how this particular “kernel” played out – Ummm....Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, rhymes with bedding dashers.)

Dang it!

Here’s another example: I was convinced the future of news/sports was on a more personalized level. I could pick exactly what information I wanted (Rangers, Cowboys & college football) and not be distracted by the nonsense (NHL and NASCAR). I could read only the information I craved or watch the highlights of my favorite teams. Well....I would like to introduce everyone to ESPN.com – and most recently ESPNDALLAS.com.

Bastards!

Actually, it’s OK....because there is only one person to blame in this wide world of popping – ME! (It's not like the suits from ESPN got me drunk and stole my idea.)

These ideas infiltrated my brain, and I didn’t do a damn thing about it.

Sure, I might have jotted down some notes – I’m actually partial to mind maps – but I didn’t sit down at a computer and write out a screenplay for “Wedding Crashers.” When I thought of “My News,” I didn’t write a business plan and put it into motion.

My most recent “kernel” was quasi-high jacked by MTV.

It’s called the “Buried Life.”

Here’s the concept (straight from the show's web site):

Relying on goodwill, guts and gumption Duncan, Ben, Dave and Jonnie travel the globe in a purple transit bus to complete a list of ‘100 things to do before you die’ and to help and encourage others to go after their own lists. For every item they complete on their list, they help a stranger achieve one of their dreams. Everywhere they go they ask the question: What do you want to do before you die?

WOW!

I know someone with a list like this...oh yeah...ME! (remember?)

Now....here’s the difference. I was actually going to write a book about this. (The TV show idea is brilliant, but I was leaning in a different direction with the exact same concept.)

I had actually starting writing it. Here’s an excerpt:

We talked about our Lists and what we could mark off next.We also talked about how we could help each other cross certain things off.

The wheels in my head were spinning on a much larger scale, though.

“A gigantic thank you note to God...”

“Truly living an adventurous and amazing life...”

“Other List Makers....”

“Their journeys...”

“Helping them.”

I was finally able to connect the dots that were dancing around in my brain. “What if I reached out to other people who had made a List,” I thought to myself. “I could help them with their tasks – they could possibly help me with some of mine – and I could write about these wonderfully great people and this incredible experience.”

CRAP!

I had a very profound epiphany as I watched the first episode of “The Buried Life” – I don’t want another “kernel” snatched out of my hands. If I have a good idea – I need to go for it.

I did it with e-Partners in Giving, but my popcorn bucket is full of other ideas.

When this wild and crazy life is over – I don’t want to say “what if.”

I think back to the Mark Twain quote my mom gave me when I graduated from college:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Let’s melt some butter and get it on!